UK to continue supports to Bangladesh on Rohingya issue

DHAKA, Mar 6, 2018 (BSS) – The United Kingdom (UK) today assured Bangladesh of its continued political and humanitarian support in addressing the man-made crisis ensued following the influx of over a million of Rohingyas in Bangladesh.

The assurance came when a five-member team of Department for International Development (DFID), led by British MP Stephen Twigg, called on Finance Minister AMA Muhith at the Finance Ministry in the city.

The other members of the team were Pauline Latham, Richard Burden, Lioyd Russel Moyle and Louise Whitls.

During the meeting, they discussed various bilateral and regional issues, including the Rohingya issues, particularly the repatriation process.

“The team wanted to visit Myanmar, but the Myanmar government rejected their visa applications. . . They (UK) will help us over the Rohingya issue,” Muhith told journalists after the meeting.

He said the aid from the different development partners for the Rohingyas is enough, but they are a burden for the nation as it is an overpopulated country.

The finance minister expressed his doubt over the outcome of the agreement signed with the Myanmar government on repatriation of the Rohingyas from Bangladesh.

He said the government is planning to rehabilitate three lakh Rohingyas in Bhashan Char and for that, the government will keep special allocations for developing the Bhashan Char in the upcoming budget.

“Bhashan Char is not for all Rohingya people. It is only for three lakh Rohingyas who came in the country in 1990,” he added. He said the government will also increase allocation in the budget for the Rohingya people.

He said the international community is providing all sorts of supports to Bangladesh over the Rohingya issue and the support will increase more in future as the government’s diplomatic efforts are going on.